Discovery of Martinique June 15, 1502. The Caribbean Sea. A small flagship of Christopher Columbus approaches an unknown shore covered with lush greenery. This was Martinique — an island that would become French, the homeland of Empress Josephine, the center of romance, and a place of attraction for tourists. But on that day, Columbus simply opened another page in the map. How was it? Who lived there? Why was the island named so? Let's travel back to the sixteenth century. Columbus and His Fourth Voyage Christopher Columbus made four voyages to the shores of America. The fourth (1502-1504) was the most unsuccessful: the ships were rotting, the crew mutinied, and there were few discoveries. On June 15, 1502, while heading towards Hispaniola (now Haiti), he noticed a high, mountainous island. Columbus named it "Martinique." According to one version, in honor of St. Martin (San Martin), and according to another — in honor of the island of Saint Martin that he had already visited. The Arawak Indians living there called the island "Madinina" (island of flowers) or "Matanino" (island of women). Columbus did not disembark, fearing hostile indigenous people, and continued on his way. Who Lived on Martinique Before the Europeans The first inhabitants of Martinique were the Siboney Indians (around 4000 years ago), then the Arawak (arrived from South America around 300 AD), and in the thirteenth century — the Caribs. The Caribs were a warlike tribe, they expelled the Arawak and gave the name to the Caribbean Sea. By the time the Europeans arrived, the Caribs dominated Martinique. They lived in long houses, grew cassava, tobacco, cotton, made wooden pies. The Caribs were cannibals (although the extent of cannibalism was exaggerated by the Europeans). Columbus and his crew feared the Caribs, so they did not disembark. Why the Discovery Did Not Lead to Immediate Colonization After Columbus' discovery, the island remained uninhabited by Europeans for almost a century. ... Read more